Chairs



C. F. CLOSE July 18, 1961 CHAIRS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 7, 1957 INVENTOR: CHARLES F. CLOSE FIG. 2A

ATT 'YS CHAIRS Filed Aug. 7, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 CHARLES F. CLOSE ATT'YS C. F. CLOSE July 18, 1961 CHAIRS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 7, 1957 INVENTORI CHARLES E CLOSE BY WW @HJ K HJ- ATT YS 2,992,853 CHAIRS Charles F. Close, Arlington Heights, Ill., assignor to Arlington Seating Co., Arlington Heights, 111., a corporation of Illinois Filed Aug. 7, 1957, Ser. No. 676,787 2Claims. (Cl. 297-118) This invention relates to chairs and, more particularly, to chairs of the type adapted to afford a combination chair and desk.

It is a primary object of my invention to afford a novel chair of the type adapted to be used as a self-contained combination chair and desk.

Combination chair and desk structures heretofore known in the art have had several inherent disadvantages such as, for example, being uncomfortable to sit in; being difficult to get into or out of; being uncomfortable to write or work on; not affording ample space on the desk portion thereof; not being readily changed from structure primarily adapted for use by right handed people to structure adapted for use by left handed people, or vice versa; not being so constructed they afforded an attractive individual chair when the desk portion was removed therefrom, and the like. It is an important object of my invention to afford a novel chair which overcomes such disadvantages.

Another object of my invention is to afford a novel chair of the aforementioned type which is constructed in a novel and expeditious manner.

Another object is to afford a novel chair of the aforementioned type wherein the desk portion thereof may be readily changed to selectively convert it for use by right handed or left handed people.

A further object is to afford a novel chair of the aforementioned type wherein the parts thereof are so constituted and arranged that the desk portion may be quickly and easily completely removed from the chair and, when this is done, the chair affords an attractive, comfortable, individual chair.

Yet another object is to afford a novel chair of the aforementioned type embodying a novel, sturdy seat construction.

Another object is to afford a novel chair of the aforementioned type which embodies novel and practical backrest supporting structure.

Other and further objects of the present invention will be apparent from the following description and claims and are illustrated in the accompanying drawings which, by way of illustration, show a preferred embodiment of the present invention and the principles thereof and what I now consider to be the best mode in which I have contemplated applying these principles. Other embodiments of the invention embodying the same or equivalent principles may be used and structural changes may be made as desired by those skilled in the art without departing from the present invention and the purview of the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a chair embodying the principles of my invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged front perspective view of the chair shown in FIG. 1 but with a portion of the desk structure and seat structure removed to show the underlying parts thereof;

FIG. 2A is a detail sectional view through a portion of the chair shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 3 is a detail perspective view of a portion of the seat structure embodied in the chair shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the chair shown in FIG. 1, but with the desk portion thereof disposed in position for use by a left handed person;

niteci States Patent G ice FIG. 5 is an enlarged detail sectional view of a portion r of the chair shown in FIG. 1, taken substantially along a plane 5-5 as shown in FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken substantially along the line 66 in FIG. 5.

A chair 10 embodying the principles of my invention is shown in the drawings to illustrate the preferred embodiment of my invention.

The chair :10 embodies, in general, a seat 8 supported by four legs L, a back-rest B supported by the seat S, and a desk or table D supported by the seat S at the front thereof, FIG. 1.

The seat S includes a substantially rectangular-shaped pan 12, FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, made of any suitable material such as, for example, sheet steel, and having a substantially rectangular-shaped bottom panel 14, and a front side wall 16 and a rear side wall 17 projecting upwardly from the opposite longitudinal edges of the bottom panel 14 and extending the length thereof. The longitudinal edge portions of the bottom panel 14 are deformed downwardly to afford downwardly projecting, longitudinally extending strengthening ribs 1 4a and 14b at the junction of the bottom panel 14 and the side walls 16 and 17, respectively, FIGS. 3 and 4.

Each of the side walls v16 and 17 embodies a substantially vertically disposed panel portion 16a and 17a, from the upper longitudinal edges of which two flanges 16b and 17b, respectively, project outwardly, FIG. 3, for a purpose which will be discussed in greater detail. presently.

Two substantially inverted U-shaped supporting members or end members 19 and 20 are mounted on the opposite ends of the pan 12, FIGS. 1 and 2. The end members 19 and 20 are mirror images of each other, and each 'embodies a front leg 22 and a rear leg 23 connected together at their upper ends by an intermediate leg 24, FIG. 2. The end members 19 and 20 may be made of any suitable material such as, for example, steel, and are preferably hollow, with the legs 22 and 23 tubular in construction, and the legs 24 thereof preferably substantially channel-shaped in construction, FIGS 2 and 5. The inter- !mediate leg 24 of each of the end members 19 and 20 preferably embodies an inwardly projecting, horizontally disposed flange 26 on the intermediate lower edge portion thereof, and two inwardly projecting, vertically disposed flanges 28 and 29 at the respective opposite ends thereof, FIGS. 2, 5 and 6-. The end members 19 and 20 are so disposed on the pan '12 that the flanges 26 thereof are disposed in juxtaposition to the end portions of the upper face of the bottom panel 14, and the flanges 28 and 29 are disposed in juxtaposition to the end portions of the inner faces of the side panels 16 and 17, respectively, FIGS. 2, 5 and 6. The flanges 26, 28 and 29 of the end members 19 and 20 may be secured to adjacent end portions of the pan 12 by any suitable means such as, for example, welding, to thereby afford a sturdy base structure 30 for the seat S.

A seat panel 31 may be mounted on the pan 1-2 and secured thereto by any suitable means such as, for example, rivets 33 extending through the seat panel 31 and through openings 34 formed in the flanges 16b and 17b of the pan 12, FIGS. 1, 3 and 4. The seat panel 31 preferably has front and rear edge portions 31a and 31b projecting forwardly and rearwardly beyond the pan 12, respectively, and the side edge portions 31c and 31d project outwardly beyond the braces 19 and 20, respectively, FIGS. 1 and 5.

Each of the legs 22 and 23 of the end members 19 and 20 has a respective one of the legs L mounted therein and projecting downwardly therefrom, FIGS. 1 and 4. The legs L may be formed of any suitable material such as, for example, tubular steel, and the upper ends thereof are mounted in and are preferably welded to the respective 3 legs 22 and 23 of the end members 19 and 20. Feet or casters 36 may be mounted in the lower end portions of the legs L, as best seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4.

The end members 19 and 20 are preferably so formed that the depending front legs 22 thereof project forwardly from the intermediate legs 24 thereof at a small acute angle, and that the rear legs 23 of the end members 19 and 21 preferably project rearwardly from the intermediate legs 24 thereof at a somewhat larger acute angle, FIGS. 1 and 4. The legs L are chosen of such length and legs 22 and 23 are so disposed relative to each other, that when the seat S is supported by the legs L in normal position, the seat panel 3-1 slopes downwardly toward the rear at an angle of approximately three to five degrees to the horizontal.

Two openings 38 and 39 are formed in opposite end portions of the panel portion 16a of the front side wall 16 of the pan 12, and two other openings 40 and 41, which are disposed in axial alignment with the openings 38 and 39, respectively, are formed in the panel portion 17a of the rear wall 17 thereof, FIG. 3, for a purpose which will be discussed in greater detail presently.

The back-rest B embodies a panel member or back panel 44 mounted on the upper end portions of two substantially L-shaped supporting members 46 and 47. The supporting members 46 and 47 may be made of any suitable material such as, for example, tubular steel, and each has substantially perpendicularly disposed legs 46a and 46b and 47a and 47b, respectively. The legs 46a and 47a are disposed in the openings 38 and 40, and the openings 39 and 41, respectively, with the legs 46a and 47a extending across the bottom panel 14 of the pan 12 and projecting outwardly beyond the side walls 16 and 17 thereof. The supporting members 46 and 47 are preferably of such cross sectional size that they fit with a free sliding fit into the openings 38-40, and the opposite end portions thereof are welded to the walls 16 and '17 of the pan 12.

The legs 46b and 47b project upwardly from the rear end portions of the legs 46a and 47a, and the back panel 44 is attached to the upper end portions of the legs 46b and 47b by any suitable means such as, for example, rivets 49, FIGS. 1, 2 and 4. The front end portions of the legs 46a and 47a are preferably closed by caps 51 mounted thereon, FIGS. 2, 2A and 4. The caps 51 preferably have a head 51a of the same outside diameter as the legs 46a and 47a, with two resilient prongs 51b and 510 projecting rearwardly from the head 51a and normally flaring outwardly away from each other into such position that when the prongs 51b and 510 are disposed in the leg 46a or 47a they frictionally engage the inner faces thereof so as to yieldingly hold the cap 51 in position on the forward ends of the respective legs 46a and 47a.

The desk D embodies a flat table top or desk top 53 which is mounted on a substantially V-shaped supporting bracket 55, mounted at its apex in substantially horizontally extending position on the upper end of an L- shaped supporting bar 57 and secured thereto by suitable means such as welding. The bar '57 has two legs 57a and 57b preferably disposed perpendicularly to each other. The leg 57a has two openings 59 and 60, FIG. 2, which are complementary in size and shape to the cross section of the legs 46a and 47a of the back-rest B. The leg 57a of the supporting member 57 is mounted on the front edge portion of the legs 46a and 47a with the front edge portions of the legs 46a and 47a mounted in and extending forwardly through the openings 59 and 60, respectively. A bolt 62 extends through the leg 57a and the panel 16a of the front side wall 16 of the pan 12, and is threadedly engaged in a nut 64 which may be welded or otherwise suitably secured to the inner face of the side wall 16, FIGS. 2 and 4. 1A spacer member 66 is disposed between the leg 57a and the front wall 16 4 of the pan 12 to thereby dispose the leg 57a forwardly of the pan 12, FIG. 4.

The front edge portion 31a of the seat panel 31, and the portions of the legs 46a and 47a of the back-rest B, which project forwardly of the pan 12, are of such relative size that the forward ends of the legs 46a and 47a terminate rearwardly of the front edge of the front edge portion 31a of the seat panel 31, FIG. 4. The leg 57a of the supporting bar 57 is preferably disposed inwardly of the heads 51a of the caps 51 on the legs 46a and 47a, and the free end of the leg 57a terminates substantially in the same vertical plane as the outer face of the inter mediate leg 24 of the brace 20, so that the leg 57a terminates in this direction inwardly of the outer edge of the side edge portion 31d of the seat panel 31, FIG. 2. The free end of the leg 57a may be closed with a cap 51 in the same manner as heretofore discussed with respect to the legs 46a and 47a, FIG. 2.

The supporting bracket 55 may be made of any suitable material such as, for example, angle iron, or the like, and may be attached to the desk panel 53 by suitable means such as screws 71 extending through the upper flanges 55a of the bracket 55 into the desk panel 53, the screws 71 terminating short of the upper face of the desk panel 53, FIG. 4.

The desk top 53 of the desk D shown in FIG. 1, has a front edge 530, a rear edge 53b, and two parallel side edges 53c and 53d, which are perpendicular to the front edge 53a and extend between the front edge 53a and the rear edge 53!). The desk top 53 is intended for use by right handed persons and, although the side edges 53c and 53d are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the front edge 53a, the edge 53d is shorter than the edge 530 so that the rear edge 53b, which extends between the rear end portions of the side edges 53c and 53d, is disposed at an acute angle to the front edge 5311, FIG. 1.

The leg 57]) of the supporting bar 57 projects upwardly from the leg 57a thereof outwardly of the side portion 31c of the seat 31. The bracket 55, which is mounted on the upper end of the leg 57b, is secured to the lower face of the desk panel 53, adjacent to the side edge 53c thereof, with the apex of the bracket 55 disposed closest to the edge 53c and the arms of the bracket 55 extending away from the edge 53c. The desk panel 53 is preferably so disposed on the supporting bar 57 that the corner formed by the side edge 53c and the rear edge 53b is disposed outwardly of the side edge portion 31c of the seat panel 31 and rearwardly of the front edge of the seat panel 31, approximately one-third of the distance between the last mentioned edge and the back-rest B.

With the desk D thus positioned relative to the seat S and the back-rest B, it will be seen that ample room is provided for a student, or the like, to slide into the seat from the left thereof, and yet the desk panel 53 affords a relatively large working surface which may extend entirely across the front of the seat S, and embodies an ample supporting surface at the right side thereof for the writing arm of a right handed person.

If it is desired to change the combination chair and desk 10 from a chair and desk intended for use by a right handed person, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, to a chair and desk intended for use by a left handed person, as shown in FIG. 4, it is merely necessary to remove the bolt 62 and, thereafter, slide the desk D forwardly off from the legs 46a and 47a of the back-rest B, and substitute another desk D' therefor, which is identical to the desk D shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, except that the new bracket and the new desk panel 153, FIG. 4, are mirror images of the brackets 55 and 53, respectively, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. This new desk may thus be mounted on the front edge portion of the seat S in the same manner as that heretofore discussed with respect to the desk \D, except that in this instance the leg 57b will project upwardly along the outer edge 31d. of the seat; panel 31 and the free end of. the leg. 557a. will terminate in, th;

'3 same vertical plane as the outer face of the intermediate leg 24 of the brace 19. The edges 53c and 53d of the new desk panel will, of course, be reversed with the edge 53c disposed at the left side thereof and the edge 53d disposed at the right side thereof.

Also, it will be noted that if the desk D is completely removed from its position on the seat S and is not replaced, the chair affords a practical, attractive piece of furniture which may be used as an individual chair, the opening 62 being hidden beneath the seat panel 31 and the front end portion of the legs 46a and 47a of the back-rest B being hidden under the front end portion 31a of the seat panel 31 and, also, affording a finished appearance even when the chair 10 is moved to a position wherein they are visible.

The desk panels 53 and 153 and the brackets 55 and 155 are disclosed herein as being secured in stationary position on the upper end portion of the leg 57b, of the rod 57. This is merely by way of illustration and not by way of limitation, and the desk panels 53 and 153 and the brackets 55 and 155 may be adjustably mounted on the upper end portion of the rod 57 without departing from the purview of my invention.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have afforded a novel chair which affords a novel combination chair and desk which is practical in construction and attractive in appearance.

Also, it will be seen that I have afforded a novel chair which may be readily and interchangeably converted for use by either left or right handed persons.

In addition, it will be seen that I have afiorded a novel chair which may be used as a combination chair and desk or may be converted into an attractive individual chair without a desk in combination therewith.

Also, it will be seen that I have afforded a novel combination chair and desk which is comfortable to sit in, affords a roomy comfortably positioned work space and writing space for a student, or the like, and is a sturdy, practical chair which may 'be readily and economically produced commercially.

Thus, while I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that this is capable of variation and modification, and I therefore do not wish to be limited to the precise details set forth, but desire to avail myself of such changes and alterations as fall within the purview of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A combination chair and desk comprising a seat 6 comprising a base including a substantially rectangularshaped pan having a bottom panel and upwardly projecting front and rear side panels, and a seat panel mounted on and supported by said side panels above said bottom panel, means for supporting said seat in elevated position, a back-rest, including two elongated supporting members, mounted on and projecting rearwardly from said seat, said two supporting members being mounted in and projecting outwardly from said side panels below said seat panel, a substantially L-shaped elongated supporting member having one vertically disposed leg and a horizontally disposed leg, a desk panel mounted on and supported by said one leg, said horizontally disposed leg extending along said front side panel and being mounted on said two supporting members, with the latter extending through said horizontal leg in position to support said horizontal leg, and means carried by said horizontal leg and attached to said front side panel for releasably attaching said horizontal leg to said front side panel in position to be so supported on said two supporting members.

2. A combination chair and desk comprising a base having front and rear edge portions extending transversely of said chair, a seat panel mounted on said base, a back-rest including two elongated supporting members mounted on and extending through said base, projecting rearwardly from said seat to support said back-rest independently of said seat and projecting forwardly of said base beneath said seat panel, an elongated desk panel supporting member connected to said forwardly extending portion of said two elongated back-rest supporting members, and a desk panel mounted on and supported by said elongated desk panel supporting member, said desk panel supporting member being provided with holes of sufficient size to permit sliding engagement with said forwardly projecting portions of said two elongated backrest supporting members and being slidably mounted on said last mentioned members to permit removal and reversal to provide either a right hand or left hand desk.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 170,304 Chapman Sept. 1, 1953 D. 179,851 Hoven Mar. 12, 1957 2,614,614 Hallowell et a1. Oct. 21, 1952 2,673,590 Hamilton Mar. 30, 1954 2,747,654 Chapman May 29, 1956 2,800,171 Hoven July 23, 1957 2,806,515 Burst Sept. 17, 1957 

